Urban Swaras Running Club

Dear Swaras,

You think you know someone, and then they turn around and show you parts of themselves you never knew existed. Karen, you did that to us this Saturday! You showed us muddy trails and back routes that you had kept hidden from us all along. Thank you for showing your true colours! See some awesome photo highlights here: https://sway.office.com/VmPbKy9afYmu937u?ref=Link

This week’s run – Café Bistro, Total Madaraka

We are running in another urban running hotspot this Saturday from the delightful hidden gem that is Café Bistro, at Total Madaraka. This has been a gathering place for many a running club after Stan Chart/Beyond Zero Half Marathon, and Swaras will be descending upon the place this weekend, so don’t miss out! See details below and register right away (and definitely before Thursday). Full info and link to register in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/VmPbKy9afYmu937u?ref=Link

Get involved in running your club!

Did you know that the Urban Swaras Running Club is volunteer-led? The CRE (calendar of runs and events) committee and the officials are a group of individuals so passionate about running and the Swaras that they put together the runs and the events that we all enjoy in their free time. But did you also know that YOU can get involved too? if you want to see behind the scenes how a run is put together, and assist in organising one, get in touch! We are also seeking passionate members interested in putting together some snazzy new events later in the year, so reach out if interested! Contact Claire at urbanswaras@outlook.com / Whatsapp +33615209676

Duka La Swara is now closed!

Thank you to all who placed orders for Duka La Swara items. Items are being processed and we will let you know when they are ready for collection. 

Other runs

You absolutely want to click on the Starting Line (https://sway.office.com/VmPbKy9afYmu937u?ref=Link) as we have the Swaras’ exclusive Stan Chart signup link, and an unbeatable package for the Great Ethiopian Run!

I think everyone can agree that that was one heck of a trail! Perfect Swara terrain and perfect weather, all made for a very merry bunch of Swaras. We ran alongside row upon row of pineapples, then through coffee plantations, we even got watered alongside the pineapples! It sometimes felt like we were running circles around Kilimambogo/Ol Donyo Sabuk, and so we knew we were never ‘too’ far from home! It was a first time for many of us running in this area, and I very much doubt any of us want it to be our last! See the Starting Line for some awesome photo highlights: https://sway.office.com/b093CiDz1hflQPbV?ref=Link

An apology to those on any of the recent runs who have found themselves running longer distances than intended. As you can imagine, it is no easy feat to get exact distances for up to six different distances every week, and we don’t always get it right. For those distances where you had a large ‘bonus’ we apologise, we do our best to try and make sure this doesn’t happen. That being said, please accept that all distances are approximate, and you may find that the final distance is slightly more or slightly less, and we recommend always carrying some water, and/or some money or m-pesa with you in case of emergency. Thanks for your understanding.

This week’s run – The Waterfront, Karen

See you all this Saturday for a run in Karen, from The Waterfront shopping mall. We will meet in the car park (the Karen Road side), and you may take breakfast at any of the restaurants in the mall, for example CJ’s, Saab Bakery, Mama Ashanti, etc). Distances on offer will be approximately 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30km. A heads-up that the intended run at Mvuke Geothermal Spa slated for 6th August is currently being considered for a date change given the impending elections. Please keep an eye out for more information on this. Find full info on the Karen run and the link to register in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/b093CiDz1hflQPbV?ref=Link

Duka La Swara is open!

Don’t miss the chance to order hoodies, caps, mugs, jackets and stickers (with some items able to personalised with your name/running nickname)! You have until Friday to order and pay: https://sway.office.com/aciPFO6y85ngx7Pq?ref=Link

#KarenRun

Dear Swaras, 

We discovered new parts of Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary this week, and a lot of people discovered a new joint to enjoy beers/nyama choma/breakfast off the beaten track, at Forest Breeze Gardens! I hope you’re all making the most of the cool weather to get some longer runs in, and use your Swara hoodies…if you don’t have one yet then keep your eyes open, you’ll have a chance to get your hands on one very, VERY soon! See some photo highlights from Saturday’s run here: https://sway.office.com/jEoygrGPhw9TYGO3?ref=Link

This week’s run – Dillons Hotel, Thika-Garisa Highway, Ngoliba

We are offering you a superb trail this Saturday, on a route scouted by none other than our very own Club Chairman and trail expert, Ajaa Olubayi! This truly is a superb place to run, and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Expect off-road, expect hills (gentle hills, not EcoLodge style hills!) and a hearty breakfast at a friendly venue, all in a small town past The busy Thika town. we will be flagging off at the slightly later time of 7.30am, to give everyone time to arrive from Nairobi. Please indicate in the registration form if you are open to giving someone a lift, or would like a lift. By indicating either of these options you consent to your telephone number being shared. Distances vary from 10km to 35km, and will be 95% trail/off-tarmac. Just perfect for a Saturday Swara run, I hear you say 🙂 Find full info and the link to register in this week’s Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/jEoygrGPhw9TYGO3?ref=Link

Get involved in running your club!

Did you know that the Urban Swaras Running Club is volunteer-led? The CRE (calendar of runs and events) committee and the officials are a group of individuals so passionate about running and the Swaras that they put together the runs and the events that we all enjoy in their free time. But did you also know that YOU can get involved too? if you want to see behind the scenes how a run is put together, and assist in organising one, get in touch! We are also seeking passionate members interested in putting together some new events later in the year, so reach out if interested! Contact Claire at urbanswaras@outlook.com / Whatsapp +33615209676

#GogoNgoliba

Dear Swaras,
I hear Swaras have a reputation for hills. Well, there’s on mystery as to why! My own run came to a whopping 1,700m elevation gain – that’s the height of a pretty decent sized mountain! So no wonder we were beat after that run. But suffice it to say that the runners cheering each other on, the Trail Fox following us around with water and words of encouragement, and the cool weather, made this a FANTASTIC outing. To those who missed it, I have no words of comfort – you missed out! See you this coming Saturday at Forest Breeze Gardens, a bit closer to home. And enjoy the last-minute holiday today! See photo highlights from the Masai Eco Lodge run in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/6wPLHzxTTYd6Ll2P?ref=Link

This week’s run- Forest Breeze Gardens, Lenana

We’ve had a few weeks a bit far from home, so this weekend we give you a well-deserved lie-in, you only have to get to Lenana/Ngong Road for this one! Distances will be from 10km to 30km and breakfast will be optional for those in attendance. We will have a few Mt Kenya 2019 ultra t shirts and 10th anniversary singlets, and calendars available for sale, grab your bargain 300ksh calendar before the year ends! Find full details in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/6wPLHzxTTYd6Ll2P?ref=Link

Subs reminder

If your membership has lapsed and you want to pay to be up-to-date, please m-pesa the club’s Treasurer on 0740 912 116 – Samuel Waweru (this number appears on the Whatsapp group description and in the treasurer’s section in this Starting Line). Please note that the main Whatsapp group is for members only, so if your membership lapses you will be removed from this group, but may remain on the mailing list, social media, and Noticeboard group.

Shortcut to register right away for the Forest Breeze Gardens run: https://forms.gle/65Lb9FVx4zKaFZEZ9

#BreezeBy

Life just keeps getting berra and berra, right?? (if you know, you know). The run was even berra than ever, from Berra Hotel, going right up the hills, and giving ample photo opportunities with the towering turbines, and splendid views of the Rift Valley. And lo and behold, the sun even came out to greet us! Some of us got sunburnt (no naming names, but you will spot me – I mean THEM – for obvious reasons, running around the streets of Nairobi sporting a fetching sunburn)! For those of us who were running with the club for the first time, karibuni! Also, remember that the Ngong Hills and the trails around there are always open, so you can run there anytime, even outside of the Saturday Swara runs. There are some 2022 Swara calendars remaining, we are now selling them at the bargain price of 300ksh, so get something to spice up your walls or your mum’s upcountry home for the rest of the year 🙂 We also have a few leftover t shirts for 500-1,500ksh, grab one at the next run. See photo highlights from the run in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/dDYYaOjTammCOyIY?ref=Link

This week’s run – Masai Eco Lodge, Kajiado

Have you ever run from the jewel of Kajiado? No?! Well, now is your chance! Masai Eco Lodge is familiarly referred to as the jewel of Kajiado, and for good reason. It sits on a sprawling organic farm, has activities for all the family, and OF COURSE offers perfect running terrain for eager Swaras! So we will be running from there this Saturday 9th July, starting at 8am. There will be marked trails of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40km. You have the option of staying overnight (see rates attached and in the Starting Line) or just coming from the day (bring on the expressway)! It is approximately 100km from Nairobi, off the Namanga Highway at Kajiado. We encourage carpooling and invite you to signal carpooling preferences in the registration form, the results of which we will share throughout the week. Full details and link to register in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/dDYYaOjTammCOyIY?ref=Link

Subs reminder

If your membership has lapsed and you want to pay to be up-to-date, please m-pesa the club’s Treasurer on 0740 912 116 – Samuel Waweru (this number appears on the Whatsapp group description and in the treasurer’s section in this Starting Line). Please note that the main Whatsapp group is for members only, so if your membership lapses you will be removed from this group, but may remain on the mailing list, social media, and Noticeboard group.

#JewelOfTheCounty

We 120% proved that Swaras are all-weather, all-terrain human vehicles this weekend in Kimunye! We had runners covering up to 36km on the trails on the edge of Mount Kenya Forest, and we crossed rivers, were deafened by waterfalls, and breakfasted with our feet almost in the water! All this in bone-chillingly cold temperatures, but with HUGE smiles on everyone’s faces. Well done to everyone who ran, and well done to everyone who came forward to give a fellow Swara a lift! Also massive kudos to Run Captain Davis Munene, who took us to his Shags in style by organising this run. If you want to captain a run, reach out! See photo highlights and this week’s mileage challenge in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/Ts9yVX4kP2gpuSyT?ref=Link

We also had a big contingency at Lewa Marathon, and even saw Annika Berlin come in with a podium finish in the full marathon, a record in recent history; congratulations to her!

We had a great Zoom session on Wednesday, An Audience With Muindi Kimanzi, possibly one of the most dedicated runners in these parts, with more than 1,000 days of daily running, and a book about the experience under his belt. Thanks to Muindi, and to Michael Mawari for moderating the session.

This week’s run – Berra Hotel, Ngong

Berra is a runner’s favourite, and for good reason. It offers fabulous trails in the Ngong Hills and environs, is a nice, out-of-the-way location just outside of Ngong Town, and has showers, good, affordable food, and a pool for good measure! Trails starting from 10km, all the way up to 30km, will be marked for your delectation. See you there! Find full details and the link to register here: https://sway.office.com/Ts9yVX4kP2gpuSyT?ref=Link

Next out of town run

Be sure to book out your Saturday 9th July, when we will be running from Maasai Eco Lodge in Kajiado. This will be a FANTASTIC run that has been in high demand since it disappeared from the Swara calendar for some time. Don’t miss it! More info coming soon.#BerraAndBerra

Dear Swaras,
This past weekend in Ruaka we had a splendid trail and perfect weather and, if I may say so, a perfect band of Swara runners illuminating the trail in a way only Swaras know how! Thanks for coming, supporting this new venue for us as a club, and for completing and celebrating a very successful trail. See some photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/jJFGCFs7EqqnREGr?ref=Link

This week’s run – Clinton Hotel, Dagoretti

This week we’re running from Clinton hotel, Dagoretti. The trail will be 85% trail (so very little tarmac) and there will be distances of up to 30km to choose from. See full details and link to register in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/jJFGCFs7EqqnREGr?ref=Link

Swara Speed Work

Thank you to all who have been attending the Swara speed work sessions. We will now be pausing them, and they will resume ahead of the next big running event!

Kimunye run

Next week we’re in Kimunye, and you can already register and plan for your transport now: https://forms.gle/KeX8FpcRqz2kvTyTA

#DagorettiTheGreat

The lucky runners who made it to Voi, we envy you! We had beautiful scenery, chewable hills, and an excellent afterparty. Our hosts, Afrika Lodges, never disappoint in their hospitality, so we thank them, as well as our excellent Trail Fox for a job well done, along with our Trail Queen, Loice Mbogo! See some stunning photo highlights in the Starting Line. We had a good number (almost half the party) completing the longest distance, at 60km. Well done to all who ran! See photo highlights here: https://sway.office.com/RzmPhfkeGzcvdzkN?ref=Link

Well done also to the brave few who made it out for a wet and cold speed work last Thursday. See you there for this Thursday’s session, which will happen, come rain or shine (you know Swaras, weather doesn’t stop us)!

This week’s run – Institute of Primate Research, Oloolua Forest, Karen.

This week we’re running from IPR in Oloolua Forest, in Karen. If you don’t know the place, you’re missing out! See you there Saturday morning for a great wind down after an intense few weeks of running. Choose from 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30km. See full info here: https://sway.office.com/RzmPhfkeGzcvdzkN?ref=Link

Swara Speed Work

Speed work is back. See you at Nyayo Stadium, Thursday from 5.30pm, until 7pm. Speed work will be held there every Thursday in May and June. Entrance is 200ksh, payable directly to the stadium. There is no fee payable to the club, this is open to all members. Please wear your club t shirts if you have one, so that you can be easily identified.

#Oloolualala